Agenda item

To submit the report of the Head of Adults’ Services.

The report of the Head of Adult Services seeking the Executive’s approval to set the rate of community based non-residential social care services fees and charges for 2025/26 was presented for consideration.

Councillor Alun Roberts, Portfolio Member for Adult Services and Community Safety presented the report which set out the proposed fees and charges for community based non-residential social care services for the 2025/26 financial year in accordance with the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014. It is usual practice to review the charges in respect of domiciliary services annually to coincide with Central Government’s revision of pension and benefit levels.

The Head of Adult Services provided the context for each category of fees and charges and explained the rationale for the fee level proposed in each case. In response to a question by the Executive regarding recruitment challenges within domiciliary services to which the report makes a reference, the Head of Adult Services confirmed that those challenges remain and cited the nature of the work, unsociable hours and uncompetitive rates of pay as key factors. In response to a further question about the effect on the service of Welsh Government’s £100 cap on the amount councils can charge for care and support at home, the Head of Adult Services advised that the cap has now been in place for nine years and if inflation had been applied over that period the charge would be over £150 by today. The cap also means that there is a disparity between residential and community care costs with clients who receive care and support in the community paying less for the provision than they would in a residential care setting which may influence the choices people make about their care and may result in their remaining within the community for longer than they should. The cost differential can in some cases be significant and could be viewed as unfair especially where an individual has the means to pay.

Councillor Alun Roberts confirmed that the issue had been raised with Welsh Government’s previous Health Minister with a promise being made to review the issue which has not happened. A recent discussion between Portfolio Members and the new Health Minister at the end of last year was more positive and it is hoped than there will be some movement on this matter in due course.

It was resolved to approve the following –

• To apply the maximum threshold for home care services endorsed by Welsh Government.
• Charges for Telecare services as outlined in Table A of the report:
• Tier 1 – everyone will pay £78.00 per quarter
• Tier 2 – everyone will pay £153.40 per quarter

• Annual Telecare charges as outlined in Table B of the report:
• Services and Maintenance £142.50
• Services only £91.50
• One off installation £57.00

• Rate for Direct Payments at £16.80 per hour

• To implement a charge of £19.00 per hour for Micro Carers

• To maintain a charge of £10.00 for the administration of Blue Badge requests and replacement as outlined in the report.

• To increase the fee for purchasing day care services in independent residential homes by 1.7% to £45.10 per day (rounded up to the nearest £0.05)

• To increase Domiciliary Care fees by £1.73 per hour to comply with new legislation.

• Charges for Meals in Day Services as outlined in Table C of the report:

• Meals in Day Services for adults (excluding people with learning disabilities) - £7.80
• Mid-day snack in Day Services for people with learning disabilities - £3.30
• Other refreshments (tea/coffee/cake) in Day Services - £1.85